(2) Moving on to Eckles. He was the ideal for me ngl, as the crown prince was at the BOTTOM of the barrel. Now (i hate to admit) it switched, and I still hope that Eckles had a chance but NOOO he is one crazy guy. Even if Ivonne didnt intervene, I’m sure Eckles would fail regardless. I had so much hope only for him to crumble it all down, still he had so much potential! But this is Penelope’s consequences, call him her karma if you will. But what can we do? She was just trying to survive. Eckles tying down Penelope (or vice versa) is the least ideal ending for anyone, it is suffocating for both of them. BUT I AM STILL UPSET BECAUSE ECKLES WAS MY BIAS AHHHHGGG I long for happy Eckles! His crying face manipulated me.
The brothers, not even going to say anything much. They don’t pose any importance to me and I’m just glad it all worked out, but I hate Derreck so much and Idc if his guilt blinded his reasoning, he sure did give me thousands of wrinkles. He may be the rational and composed man to many, but he was a terrible human to those close to him. Reynolds? I like him. He’s an annoying tsundere but who cares, he was quick to be mature than Derreck who I expected more, but I cant blame anywho, right, because they had reasons. Still! I am not wrong to be mad and furious in Penelope’s behalf (she can be mad with me)
(3) Next is Winter. He got the second male lead syndrome and Im genuinely sad for him. He seemed more of a business partner than a lover, if only he was given a chance to be free off of his duties then he might have lived a better life. I am weeping for him and im sad that his ending gets to be like that, vague and unexplored. Still has many questions but like whatever, he’s mysterious through in through. In a perspective of these male leads, this is literally hunger games for trying to stay alive (they shouldve lived a better life but they done devoted to Penelope, I mean, I’d want to be devoted to Penelope too so…)
Lastly, Callisto. Bad impression. Hate him so much, never liked him at all, but out of all these guys I guess he is the better option (Winter COULDVE been debatable). Until now I don’t know what to feel because I wanted Penelope to go back, but her life sucks in the earth anyway so if I were her I’ll stay too like… Anyway, he is pretty hard to accept, but one of the characters with great development I must say. Did not expect him to be THE ml and I just realized he’s in the cover so I’m dumb for missing that. They all did decently in Character Development Department, (aside from winter? There wasn’t much anything that changed. If anything, he caused many changes and improvements to the story), it’s just that Callisto takes the cake. He was severely hard to let go off, he’s like a leech mooching off of Penelope and successfully got his reward… Couldn’t be him, I’ll respect that he got what he wants…
(4) Additionally, the story. GREAT ACTUALLY, the pacing was unbearable for someone like me (my peak is nearing its end), but I finished it and Im happy! I’m a sucker for stories that have the system be all mysterious and shock me all over. Like no way this game used gaming aspects, as such like “I wonder if the character people play is a puppet and…” the author went crazy from there! It felt like Ivonne being a corpse and Penelope being the villain, is an indication that Penelope knew players were possessing Ivonne and in the players perspective it was easy to gain affection (in normal mode) as only for the hard mode reveal that she was using shards! I am beyond amazed. Genuinely adore the plot. Would not read again though! This was so long and it made me mentally exhausted. Still good read! Definitely recommend and worth it.
In conclusion! My opinions might change, but I can’t lie and say that I did not enjoy it. I can’t say much for the story as it already speaks for itself. Frustrating, mainly, it’s just angst on top of another and another! It was interesting though (I kinda passed a lot of panels on around the 200+ chapters mark because I gave up… Too many conversations when you can just go straight to the point…). All the characters were fun to see, although I have scorned to many (not to Eckles, I was just always happy to see him despite his wrongdoings), they were all interesting. Everyone had their uses and idiosyncratic traits. Like no, you could never put Winter and Reynolds in the same category, or even Callisto or Eckles. They can’t be used interchangeably and I liked it! Their differences really tests your preferences. Also, kinda hoped it was a real game, I’d romance Eckles to the brim.
(1) I entered this without ANY expectations and I’m going to be fr.
This shit was bussing.
I suffered a lot because im the kind to really feel into (immersed) any story so Penelope’s hardships were also my hardships. Romance genre, not really for me, but if it was used like this (like with all kind of spices u can ever imagine) then I’m downright sitting DOWN to read. It’s a long read but the pacing was reasonable, however I suffered a little because (of responsibilities I accidentally neglected) I felt obliged completing this to comment clearly so hear goes,
The characters. The mc, Penelope, could never hate her. Maybe I am biased because we’re literally in her perspective. But now, the ending made it all clear as the system (call it the “world” of hers as a pretense even) is the one at fault. The story itself made it clear that Penelope lived in a life full of survival and the system knew she’s fit for the game. She’s not emotionless by nature as it is by choice. That’s literally her shell to keep herself from being hurt and hurting others vice versa, which means it is her offense and defense. It is understandable why she took long to accept anyone’s heart, and I unfortunately had hope (Like genuinely a LOT, genuinely cried when he died) for Eckles only for him to throw it all away. Guess he is R”eckles”s, haha nvm anyway. I love the story so much because they made Penelope not some heartless villain as she ought to be, posing that she is not even supposed to be there and is only trying to survive!! Im so glad my baby is in safe hands (for now).